news from Brazil

[MABE BRAZIL]

Hi Caitlin and everyone,
i still insisting in producing freshwater pearl using tyhe native mussels from Brazil. The main family is Hyriidae, as other freshwater mussels they are very threatened and many are dissapearing. I not know what happens in the Hyriopsis but with brazilian mussels i can not lift the mantle. Doing this i missed all extrapallial water, that is necessary to produce pearl. So, now, i am trying another kind of surgery, I am making a square on the shell, near the umbo, and introducing the piece of mantle, or nuclei, through this aperture. After that i seal it and WAIT.
Now i am capable of reproducing many species (Anodontites trapezialis, A. trapezeus, Diplodon sp, and others), so i will be able to trial with more than one species to look the result.
If interest i can post some pictures of theses species.
Regards

Ricardo Cunha Lima

[pattye]

Hi Richardo,

Good to hear from you! Would love to see pictures. Glad to know of your success and experiments.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

Thanks Ricardo
Your work is really interesting and I am glad you are making progress.

Yes please put up some photos